You’re at a restaurant. The server brings out menus and water, and you start scanning the menu for something to eat. Perhaps you’re at an Italian restaurant because you suddenly had a craving for pasta. Or you’re at a BBQ joint because you wanted meat. If you’re anything like I was a few years ago, whatever good plan you had before you walked into that restaurant has no bearing on what you end up putting in your mouth. You’re about to inadvertently order the worst thing on the menu, just like you always do. As the server comes back to take your order, your brainstorm of inputs like “healthy”, “cheap”, “low carb”, “cravings” spits out something you’ll regret five seconds after they walk away. We’ve all been there. To help you make a better decision next time, here are a few simple guidelines to follow when ordering at a restaurant.

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